More than 740 athletes, volunteers and spectators aged from their 50s to 80s are set to converge on the Sunshine Coast for an annual athletic showdown proving age is just a number.
The third annual GemLife Games will take place at at GemLife Palmwoods on Thursday and Friday, as athletes from across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria go head-to-head in a showdown of spirit, skill and self-belief.
Eight sports will be contested, with lawn bowls drawing the biggest field, followed closely by pickleball and tenpin bowling. Competitors will also take on tennis, table tennis, eight-ball pool, virtual golf and swimming.
An initiative of over-50s lifestyle developer GemLife, the inter-resort event champions fitness, fun and friendship among older Australians.
GemLife director and CEO Adrian Puljich said the games had become “legendary”, with competitor numbers growing every year as more residents decide to give it a go.
“That’s what it is all about: encouraging over-50s to stay active and healthy, try new things, set new goals and come together in a fun, supportive environment,” Mr Puljich said.
“In the lead-up to the games, all our facilities – including our lawn bowls greens, pickleball and tennis courts, and swimming pools – are buzzing with residents training for the big day.
“Some pick up a new sport for the first time just to compete. While lawn bowls remains ever-popular, it’s exciting to see newer sports like pickleball among the most hotly contested.
“It’s also incredibly rewarding to see the new friendships formed – from residents opening their homes to billet athletes travelling for the competition to cheering each other from the sidelines.”
Competitor Frank Fesche credits keeping fit with saving his life. The 80-year-old Coast man will take on the 25-metre freestyle swim – and follow it up with a 1.9km swim, 90km bike ride and 21.1km run at the IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast event just days later.
“Taking part is motivation for me; motivation to get up in the mornings, get outside, do the training, and keep healthy of course,” he said.
Mr Fesche, who was a spectator last year, was encouraged to participate by fellow residents.
“It’s such a brilliant event and a great motivator for people to get involved in some sort of activity, because it can become too easy to slip into a sedentary lifestyle,” he said.
Jo O’Mahony is looking forward to competing in the freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke swimming events at the games and is also on standby for lawn bowls.
It’s the third year the GemLife Palmwoods resident has competed and she said meeting new people and having fun were the aims.
“It is great to see people getting out of their homes, joining in and having fun at the same time,” she said.
